USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > All Saints church, Worcester, Massachusetts ; a centennial history, 1835-1935 > Part 5
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As previously stated, 1872 was a year of sorrow, since it witnessed the death of Mrs. Huntington, a woman of great personal beauty and charm, generous and lovable nature, and sweet Christian character. As a tribute to her memory, the
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WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON Rector 1862-1883
Parish presented the Rector with a silver Communion serv- ice, comprising two chalices, one paten for the altar, another for the credence table, and a silver flagon. This loving tribute, the first important "memorial gift" to All Saints Parish, has survived two fires, and is in cherished use today. Dr. Huntington's acknowledgment to Mrs. Edward L. Davis is quoted in full:
"All Saints Church, Thanksgiving Day, 1872
"MY DEAR MRS. DAVIS:
"I have deferred till now answering your note of Tuesday, from the feeling that no day could be so fitting as this one for telling you how deeply I have been touched by my people's kindness. I cannot trust myself to say anything from the Chancel, and so I must put upon you and those who have been associated with you in this labor of love, the further task of communicating to the givers my appreciation of the gift. I say 'gift' for so thoroughly are my affections bound up with All Saints Church that whatever is given to the Church seems given to me; and as I sit writing this within walls now doubly consecrated by the holy memory of a most holy life,-a life that found its best joy and truest utterance at these Altar rails,-I feel that the gift is also given to her, and that I may say in her name as well as my own, what gratitude prompts.
"In no possible way could my friends have devised a more delicate, a more beautifully appropriate Memorial. The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ was very dear to her who was so dear to us, and while the words over the Lord's Table will always be there to guard against our for- getting that what we do is done in remembrance of Him, He surely will not count it a sin in us if, sometimes, thoughts of His loyal and loving disciple come also to our minds to soothe and bless. 'Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.'
"May He Who has knit together His elect in one com- munion and fellowship, in the mystical Body of His Son Christ our Lord, reward this people for the love and tender- ness they have ever shown to me. I am
Ever your attached friend,
WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON''
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Parish expenditures for this year were listed as follows:
Church School $350.
General expenses, including rector's salary 8,177. Rector's assistant 770. St. Matthew's chapel 1,386.
New Chancel and other improvements 5,000.
Regarding the completion of St. Matthew's chapel, fi- nanced wholly from All Saints, the rector stated in his annual report for this year: "St. Matthew's chapel has cost, includ- ing the furniture, about $2,800, and is considered by com- petent judges a remarkably good building for that money. Mr. Orlando W. Norcross, the contractor, deserves the credit of having done the work without profit to himself, and I find much pleasure in making this public acknowledgment of his kindness, energy, and promptitude."
The year of 1873, unconsciously under the shadow of our first great material calamity, the fire of 1874, saw the roster of communicants rise to 325, with 63 baptisms, 44 confirma- tions, 26 marriages, 24 burials, and 350 in the Church School (including 35 teachers).
So complete and wholly admirable a chronicle of the fire of Easter Tuesday, 1874, together with the planning and execu- tion of the building program of the second All Saints, with concise summaries of receipts and expenditures, was pre- pared for the Parish records by the late Charles M. Bent, secretary of the Building Committee, that we feel bound to present our grateful acknowledgments, and quote it verbatim:
"All Saints Church, the first Episcopal Church built in Worcester, in 1846, situated on the South side of Pearl Street, was destroyed by fire on the night of Tuesday, in Easter Week, April seventh, 1874."
[This disastrous fire, entailing a loss of $30,000 and con- sidered the worst to visit Worcester in five years, was of mysterious origin. The first alarm was rung at IO:15 P.M., less than half an hour after the janitor had left the premises,
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RUINS OF THE PEARL STREET CHURCH, 1874
assuring himself that all the fires were out in the three church furnaces, and in the small stove in the robing room.
Starting in the basement, the fire worked its way upward rapidly, although no flames, but only dense smoke, were visible to the firemen on their arrival. Soon, however, tongues of fire darted through the roof at various places, presently increasing in intensity so as to make it soon evident that no human power could save the fabric from total destruction.
A second and third alarm summoned the entire depart- ment, including the "Steamer Governor Lincoln," the "Steamer A. B. Lovell," and the "Rapid Number Four." For their valiant and arduous services, successful in keeping unharmed the small wooden chapel adjoining, as well as the rectory and other closely adjacent wooden buildings, the firemen were warmly commended. The absence of strong wind favored their work.
The neighboring parishioners and others worked with a will, saving all the movable furniture, and even a portion of the carpets. The Communion service was removed to the rectory without mishap. At about three in the morning, after raging fiercely for four and a half hours, the fire burned itself out. In its fall, the tower crashed dramatically clear across Pearl Street.
Most precious among the movables rescued from the burn- ing church was the great leather-bound Bible, taken from the lectern and carried to safety by a young man, Henry A. F. Hoyt, four years later to be ordained as deacon in the Episcopal Church. Then not quite thirty, he was to main- tain a sweet and generous connection with All Saints during the sixty years to follow.]
"The burning of the consecrated building, hallowed by many sacred associations, came as a personal affliction to those who had worshiped within its walls.
"Though stunned and depressed for the moment, the people immediately set to work with enthusiasm to repair their loss. On the following evening the Vestry met, and their first formal act was a vote of thanks to the firemen whose efforts were so well directed that the Rectory, which
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was but twenty feet from the burning building, was at no time in danger, and a vote of gratitude was also passed to the Parishes which in their sympathy had offered their Churches for the free use of All Saints-the Church of the Unity, the Old South Church (then located on the Com- mon), the Pleasant Street Baptist, the Plymouth Church next door, the Trinity Methodist Episcopal, and the Univer- salist on Pleasant Street. From these the Wardens were authorized to make a selection, and they arranged with Plymouth Church for the temporary use of their Vestry- room.
"The business moved on with great promptness, and at a meeting of the Vestry on April 14th, Messrs. Sumner Pratt and Josiah H. Clarke were appointed to a Committee to make arrangements for a mass meeting of the worshipers to be held on April 23rd. On that occasion Plymouth Church Vestryroom was filled with an enthusiastic gathering of men, women and children. The Rector, Rev. William R. Huntington, presided. A motion of Mr. Sumner Pratt to proceed at once to 'build a Church' was carried with great enthusiasm. Upon motion of Judge Hilliard a large Com- mittee consisting of the Vestry (13 men) and the following Parishioners was appointed to suggest measures for the pro- ceeding with the work, to be reported to a legal meeting of the Parish: Messrs. William H. Jourdan, A. C. Murray, Edward W. Lincoln, Alonzo Whitcomb, George R. Sullivan, Stephen C. Earle, George F. Boyden, Lemuel B. Nichols, M.D., Paul Bauer and Charles Booth-24 in all. This Committee held its first meeting April 25th, and appointed a sub-committee on sites, and upon its report (at a meeting on April 30th) the following locations were carefully discussed: -the old site on Pearl Street; the 'Burnside lot' on the cor- ner of Elm and Chestnut streets; a portion of the Lincoln Estate on Elm Street (opposite the head of Linden street); two lots on the northwest corner of Pleasant and Linden streets; a large lot on the northwest corner of William and Sever streets; (the owner of this lot proposed to ask but a nominal price for its transfer); the Mower lot-a large tract of land bounded by Main and Beacon streets which the Rector regarded as 'an ideal site well located for a great missionary enterprise,' and the location now occupied. It was generally admitted that the last mentioned would meet all requirements more completely than any proposed, and subsequently two lots were purchased of John White and John B. Goodell, giving an area of 22,200 square feet, for
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$1.50 per foot. Later, the plans of the architect calling for more space, a strip of eight feet by one hundred and fifty feet on Irving street was purchased of Mr. Towne at $2.00 per square foot. The meeting also prepared a plan of procedure for the next meeting of the Parish, which was reported by Mr. L. J. Taft at a special meeting of the legal voters of the Parish on May 5th.
"At this meeting, which was held in the hall of the Y. M. C. A., which had been generously offered for this purpose, there was a great assembly, and the enthusiasm was as hearty as at the first. The recommendations of the Com- mittee were adopted. On motion of Mr. Josiah H. Clarke it was voted 'to build a Church,' and the Rector, Dr. Hunt- ington, appointed the following committees:
"Finance Committee-Charles M. Bent Henry Clarke, M.D.
Josiah H. Clarke
Francis H. Dewey George A. Kimball
Lyman J. Taft Alonzo Whitcomb
"Building Committee-Edward L. Davis
William H. Jourdan Sumner Pratt George T. Rice James A. Smith John D. Washburn
"Mr. Kimball offered a resolution, prepared with great care and fullness, defining the duties of the committees, and giving them full power 'to do all acts necessary to effect the purpose of the vote to build a Church,' which was adopted. The Rector was added to the Committee.
"At a Parish meeting held May 13th, these committees were merged, and Edward L. Davis as Chairman was ap- pointed, and Charles M. Bent as Secretary and Treasurer which committee later appointed the following as an Execu- tive Committee: Edward L. Davis, Henry Clarke, M.D., Josiah H. Clarke, William H. Jourdan, Charles M. Bent. "These gentlemen, with the Rector, had full charge of all matters pertaining to the erection and furnishing of the buildings from that time until their completion."
[On Pleasant Street, on the site of the Church, stood the Thomas Earle house, long noted for its unusual tower on the
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northwest corner. This house was removed farther west to what is now number 344 Pleasant Street, where it still stands, not much changed after its removal.]
"Immediately after the selection of a building site, steps were taken to secure plans for Church, Chapel, and Parish Building, and Messrs. Peabody and Stearns, of Boston; Congdon, of New York; and Boyden, Earle and Fuller, of Worcester, were invited to compete. They responded with sketches and plans in sufficient detail to give a good idea of the appearance of the proposed buildings inside and out, which were deposited with the Secretary of the Committee, the other members being ignorant of the authorship of the several designs. After long and careful study the plans of Earle and Fuller, prepared by Stephen Carpenter Earle, were selected upon their merits. Several contractors bid for the construction of the buildings, and Norcross Broth- ers' bid being the lowest, contract was made with them.
"Ground was broken December 29th, 1874, and the work proceeded without interruption. Quicksands under the tower site, and running streams of water in other places, were overcome by engineering skill until, under the favoring influence of a beautiful summer afternoon, the cornerstone was laid July 2Ist, 1875, the Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, D.D., Bishop of Central New York, acting by request of Bishop Paddock of Massachusetts.
"The Rector being aware that the Cathedral in Wor- cester, England, was undergoing repairs, endeavored to secure from the Dean a stone that had formed a part of the ancient fabric, suitable for the cornerstone of our new All Saints; and, Mr. John Davis Washburn, a member of the Vestry, was entrusted with a commission for that purpose. He secured a personal interview with the Dean which failed of its original purpose, as no stone of sufficient size could be found. The request of our messenger was not in vain, how- ever, for he met with a gracious reception which resulted in a gift of the stones that are incorporated in the walls of the tower porch. The incident formed a pleasant and unique episode, and the correspondence relating to the matter, which is duly entered in the Parish records, makes very interesting reading.
"From this time the work went steadily along until its completion. The financial statement appended will reveal something of the sacrifice and liberality of the people in providing the funds for the enterprise. There was but very
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little assistance from non-worshipers, and no makeshifts for raising funds-the nearest approach to such methods being the successful efforts of the St. Cecilia Club (the musical club of the Parish) which, under the direction of Mr. I. N. Metcalf, then Choirmaster of the Parish, raised $920 for the Organ Fund by a series of concerts. Another source of revenue was the sale of choice location of sittings, which was by auction in the new Chapel-Mr. J. H. Clarke being the auctioneer, which netted $2,555. Some of these sittings are still occupied by the persons who thus secured them, though no title to property in them was acquired by the process.
"From the start there was a determination that if possible the first service held in the Church should be of consecra- tion, and as the Bishop would not perform that office in a Church encumbered by debt, everyone realized the neces- sity called for the utmost endeavor. As the work approached completion the Executive Committee saw there was a danger of a lack of funds, which became generally known, and dis- appointment threatened. The members of the Committee felt that they had exhausted every resource, and could not see where or how the needed funds could be obtained. At this juncture the full Committee was invited to the house of the Chairman (Mr. Edward L. Davis) for a meeting of con- ference, on an evening in December. The weather was cold and rough, in accord with the state of mind of the men as they wended their way to the place of meeting. Under these depressing circumstances and conditions the conference, as it progressed, only added to the prevailing gloom. After the members had discussed and discarded several plans for relief, the Chairman called upon his guests to meet around his hospitable board, which invitation was eagerly accepted as bringing some relief to the depression of the hour. It was then, all other plans having failed of support, that he offered to buy the Chapel lot, not for its value, but large enough to meet all unsettled claims. The rebound from the spirit of depression that had rested upon all up to that moment was so great that, for a time, no one found voice for approval or disapproval, or to express his sense of grateful appreciation. The Church was consecrated!
"The Rector, the Senior Warden (Mr. Sumner Pratt) and the Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. L. Davis) were appointed a Committee to make all arrangements for the Consecration Service, which was held on January 4th, 1877. The Rt. Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, was the Consecrator, assisted by the Rector and
several visiting Clergymen. The Church was filled to over- flowing by a congregation of grateful and happy Parishioners, and many visitors, both clerical and lay, from all parts of the Diocese! The weather with its bright sunshine and invigor- ating wintry air conspired with other favorable conditions to make the occasion most enjoyable. The Service was very simple. The ornate rendering on great days now familiar to the congregation of All Saints was unknown to the Diocese in those days, but it was impressive in its simplicity, and will ever be remembered by the participants as a most happy climax to a long season of devoted and unselfish labor.
"The Rector was an active member of the Executive Com- mittee during all these months, but notwithstanding the extraordinary demand upon his time and thought, the spiritual interests of his parishioners were closely guarded. Services were maintained in their fullness, and all the depart- ments of Church work were kept active and efficient. Plym- outh Chapel was used a few times, but though the attitude of the society was very friendly it was deemed wise to look for accommodations elsewhere. Washburn Hall was rented for a time, but for several reasons it was not found to be an agreeable place of worship, and the Vestry secured Horti- cultural Hall for the exclusive use of the Parish for one year, thereby keeping control of the Hall every day in the week. The little Chapel on Pleasant Street was early fitted up, under the supervision of the Rector, in a manner very attrac- tive and churchly, and there the Sacraments were adminis- tered regularly. Some of the present Parishioners will recall with much pleasure the quiet simplicity and impressiveness of those sacred offices of a homeless but happy and faithful congregation. This arrangement was a very important fac- tor in keeping people united and contented.
"The usual expenses incident to parochial life were not curtailed, and to meet them the Vestry secured from the worshipers annual subscriptions based upon the amount they had formerly paid for pew rent. This effort was fairly successful, but the financial strain though cheerfully met was very great. The appropriation for current expenses included in this period amounted to $14,500. The following is the financial statement of the Building Committee:
"Received from
Insurance on Church $14,850.00
Insurance on Organ 2,377.70
Sale of Real Estate 32,975.50
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Subscriptions St. Cecilia Club
III,342.78
920.57
Interest on Deposit
620.28
Premium for Choice Sittings
2,555.00
Sundries
213.07
Total of Receipts
$165,854.90
"Paid for
Real Estate
$41,941.08
Buildings
102,353.79
Organ and Motor
6,858.07
Cushions
1,569.78
Carpets
1,217.44
Hassocks
485.90
Architect and Engineer
4,944.75
Gas Fittings
1,390.20
Interest
3,470.99
Sundries
1,622.90
$165,854.90
"So it appears that the Parish raised one way or another during that time upwards of $180,000, including current expenses, which was the sum of the gifts of the worshipers of All Saints, the outcome of the courageous and self-sacrificing spirit that animated the hearts of everyone, young and old, rich and poor, who vied with each other in doing their ut- most according to their means. One fact should be noted: in this great effort at not any time was there any disturb- ance of the perfect harmony and good feeling that prevailed in the Committee and in the Parish, and Priest and People came out of the ordeal a united and grateful Parish, stronger and more devoted to the Holy cause than ever. Thereby the 'disaster' became a 'blessing.'
As the rector was always anxious to have the affairs of the Parish, whether spiritual, social or financial, receive the widest possible publicity, he started the publication, about 1875, of the Parish Year Book, a modest little pamphlet originally of some 28 pages, whose issue continued until 1913.
During the erection of the new Church, in 1875 and 1876, the regular Sunday program was: Morning Prayer in Horti- cultural Hall at 10:30; Church School and Evening Prayer in the Chapel, at 5 and 7 P.M., respectively.
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"At the laying of the cornerstone of the new Church the Services began at 7 p. m., before a large delegation of Parish- ioners and Worcester people. The ceremony was very im- pressive, and the people were assembled on the floor of the Church and in the streets. The enjoyment of the hour was brightened by the beauty of the weather, and the quiet and solemnity of the twilight. Later in the evening the Clergy, invited guests, and the Building Committee were enter- tained at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Davis."
In one of his reports, Mr. Edward L. Davis, Chairman of this Building Committee, wrote:
"The cornerstone of the new Church has carved upon its northern face the emblem of the Cross and Crown, and on its eastern face the ancient monogram of the name of Christ. I certify to having seen placed in a leaded box which was deposited in the cornerstone the following articles, namely:
The Holy Bible
The Book of Common Prayer
The Hymnal of the Protestant Church
The Journal of the General Convention of 1874
Journal of the Eighty-Fifth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts
Church Almanac of 1875
The Parish Year Book, 1874-75
Specifications of the Building of Church
Photographs and Relics of the old All Saints on Pearl Street
Daily Spy published April 8th, 1874
Evening Gazette of April 8th, 1874
Pictures of the design of the new All Saints
Map of the City of Worcester, 1875
City Document #29
Pamphlet entitled Worcester Illustrated
The Lexington Centennial Medal
The Oration delivered at the Bunker Hill Centennial
The Philadelphia Centennial Medal
The American Church Review of July, 1874
The Spirit of Missions for July, 1875
Copies of various religious and secular journals of cur- rent date (9 in all)
A copy of the form of Service used on the occasion of the Consecration of the Church."
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The sturdy tower rises 162 feet above the sidewalk, to which height the simple black iron cross, with parts of gilded brass, adds yet another twelve.
At the center of the brownstone façade were set two roundels, in high relief, representing the heads of Anna the Prophetess and Simeon the aged priest. After nearly sixty years' calm gazing down upon the entering and departing congregations, with their silent but expressive Pax intranti- bus, Salus exeuntibus, they fairly symbolize (fortunately still today) all the saints of all the ages. May we all live to see the bright green ivy again encircling their blessed faces!
While the church was in process of building, two doves flew into an open window of the chancel while the men were at work, and built a nest high up among the rafters. There they peacefully stayed and nested all summer long, un- disturbed by the noise and confusion. It was considered by everyone, and by Dr. Huntington especially, as a happy omen. He looked for the doves every day, and watched them as he surveyed the progress of the building.
In token of this happy augury, the figures of two doves were painted in with other decorations, when the chancel was being finished. Happiest of all, perhaps, was the inspira- tion which led Dr. Huntington to compose these beautiful stanzas, following the great Psalmist's thought:
"Yea, the sparrow hath found her a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God."
"Into the half built Church, from out a sky
That crimsoned all the west
Came mated doves, and 'mid the rafters high
Fashioned their simple nest;
With busy beaks that quickly won their store
Gleaning the treasures of the littered floor.
"And there, through all the work-day's thrifty round Secure from touch of harm,
The brooding mother let not sight nor sound
Her quietness alarm; but, gazing downwards on the toil and stir,
Watched the deft hands that seemed to build for her.
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"Within the Temple's wall, though incomplete, My soul, seek thou thy rest;
From storms a covert, refuge from the heat,
And peace that none molest.
Dear is the freedom of the open fields,
But freest those whose nest God's roof-tree shields."
In 1876 (happy year of our national centennial) the rector, speaking of the frequent changes in the ministry of the Church, during the thirty-three years since the organization of the Parish, took occasion to compliment the laity on the constancy of their devotion, in the fact that "the office of warden has been filled by only five persons: 1843-1850, Thomas Bottomly and Charles S. Ellis; 1851-1861, Thomas Bottomly and Lemuel B. Nichols; 1862-1867, Lemuel B. Nichols and Sumner Pratt; 1868-1876, Sumner Pratt and Meltiah B. Green."
The Busy Bees comprised a group of fifty little girls, all under twelve, holding weekly meetings. At Easter, 1876, they held a sale and added their mite to the Chancel Win- dow Fund. They had a flower table which was remarkable for having been arranged by children so young. Miss Moody, their superintendent, in presenting each member with a certificate of affiliation with the Busy Bees of All Saints Church, said that she hoped that there might always be such earnest workers in All Saints, or in some other church.
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